Re: Which Hat...well

Posted by Michaelson from em12-686.utsi.edu on July 24, 1998 at 09:52:25:

In Reply to: Re: Which Hat...well posted by IJFan on July 24, 1998 at 09:11:08:

: Well, if you have any other suggestions which I might be overlooking, I'd be interested in hearing them. The only other option I'm even dimly aware of is the Stetson (Temple & Ark). Frankly, I've never been too impressed with Stetson hats, so I kind of ruled them out. Anyway, don't keep too quiet just cause I don't know enough to ask the right questions ;-)

: Thanks,
: IJFan

: : Well, using your criteria, I would say, in order of most accurate as of today's date, Gary Whites, Herbert Johnson, then the Alegro a distant 3rd. I personally want a Herbert Johnson, but as you say, reports are pointing further and further away from being the "correct" material, appearance, ribbon, and "attitude" of the original hat maker seems to have changed, and is being reflected in the hat he is currently creating. White is gosh awful to expensive, but in appearance and materials looks to be at least a top notch product, but personally I wouldn't buy one. The Worth and Worth hat is just plain wrong, brim to narrow as is the ribbon. The pinch is correct, though. Their Siena is actually closer to being correct, if it had a dimensional cut for the sides. OK, there you have my spin on your choises, based upon your criteria. You didn't ask for any other suggestions, so I'll keep quiet. Regards. Michaelson

Well, the Stetson is pretty well made, and I've owned three to date, wearing two of the three completely out, beyond reclaimation. At $89-$99 apiece and with the correct dimensional cut brim, unless you plan to handle monsoons etc., would be ok for general use and not that bad cost wise to replace when they get to bad to continue to wear. But then if you go with the higher end hat, you are in the area of having something probably being able to take abuse better, and aftermarket restoration. By the way, the Stetson can also be cleaned, restored, and reblocked by several dealers aftermarket. It is still considered a higher end item by those restorers. I have spoken to several directly, and this is what they've told me. Anyway, it really depends on your life style as to how to approach this. I personally now wear a Bronner. I don't believe they're made in this style anymore. I've have had very good wear out of it, and wear it daily year round. I would like to own a correct Herbert Johnson, made to my order, but then thats just my preference. I also have a family, and it's pretty hard to justify at my age wearing something on my head that cost enough to feed my family all month. Regards. Michaelson

Follow Ups:

Re: Which Hat...well IJFan 13:10:36 7/24/98 (1)
- Re: Which Hat...well GAry 22:18:01 7/25/98 (0)

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: : Well, if you have any other suggestions which I might be overlooking, I'd be interested in hearing them.  The only other option I'm even dimly aware of is the Stetson (Temple & Ark).  Frankly, I've never been too impressed with Stetson hats, so I kind of ruled them out.  Anyway, don't keep too quiet just cause I don't know enough to ask the right questions ;-)

: : Thanks,
: : IJFan

: : : Well, using your criteria, I would say, in order of most accurate as of today's date, Gary Whites, Herbert Johnson, then the Alegro a distant 3rd. I personally want a Herbert Johnson, but as you say, reports are pointing further and further away from being the "correct" material, appearance, ribbon, and "attitude" of the original hat maker seems to have changed, and is being reflected in the hat he is currently creating. White is gosh awful to expensive, but in appearance and materials looks to be at least a top notch product, but personally I wouldn't buy one. The Worth and Worth hat is just plain wrong, brim to narrow as is the ribbon. The pinch is correct, though.  Their Siena is actually closer to being correct, if it had a dimensional cut for the sides.  OK, there you have my spin on your choises, based upon your criteria. You didn't ask for any other suggestions, so I'll keep quiet. Regards. Michaelson

: Well, the Stetson is pretty well made, and I've owned three to date, wearing two of the three completely out, beyond reclaimation. At $89-$99 apiece and with the correct dimensional cut brim, unless you plan to handle monsoons etc., would be ok for general use and not that bad cost wise to replace when they get to bad to continue to wear.  But then if you go with the higher end hat, you are in the area of having something probably being able to take abuse better, and aftermarket restoration. By the way, the Stetson can also be cleaned, restored, and reblocked by several dealers aftermarket. It is still considered a higher end item by those restorers. I have spoken to several directly, and this is what they've told me. Anyway, it really depends on your life style as to how to approach this. I personally now wear a Bronner. I don't believe they're made in this style anymore. I've have had very good wear out of it, and wear it daily year round. I would like to own a correct Herbert Johnson, made to my order, but then thats just my preference. I also have a family, and it's pretty hard to justify at my age wearing something on my head that cost enough to feed my family all month. Regards. Michaelson

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